Legal shooting light in Wisconsin

In short

In Wisconsin, legal shooting light for game animals runs from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. At Madison today that is 6:53 AM to 6:29 PM CDT.

Updated September 2026

Sun altitude · Sun, Oct 25CDT · Game animals

NightTwilightDayLegal window

Now

—

Legal from6:53 AM

Sunrise7:23 AM

Sunset5:59 PM

Legal until6:29 PM

Civil dawn6:54 AM

Civil dusk6:28 PM

Legal day11h 36m

Daylight10h 36m

Sunrise bearing106°

Sunset bearing254°

The Wisconsin ruleCommon rule · confirm with agency

Game animals & non-migratory birdsone-half hour before sunrise → one-half hour after sunset

Confirm with: Wisconsin wildlife agency. Sun times computed with astronomy-engine (USNO convention: upper limb, refraction).

All states·Wisconsin season dates·Wisconsin regulations

Wisconsin shooting hours, answered

What are the legal shooting hours in Wisconsin?

For game animals, Wisconsin allows hunting from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. This is the common rule; confirm the exact wording with the state agency.

When does legal light end today at Madison?

Today legal light ends at 6:29 PM CDT at Madison (5:59 PM sunset plus the after-sunset offset). Set your precise location above for your exact spot.